Random Musings: June 2010 Archives

"Covert" vs. "Clandestine"

Despite confusion by the media, there is a significant difference between "covert" operations and "clandestine" operations.

Covert operations: operation should be undetected while in progress, but the outcome may be easily observed. Example: special operations team secretly inserted behind enemy lines to destroy a high-value target.

Clandestine operations: operation should be undetected while in progress and after completion. Example: steal copies of enemy intelligence reports.

In both cases the identity/ties of the operators may be kept hidden or disguised after the operation is complete.